BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Fifty-two people were killed in road accidents during the 3-day New Year holiday in China, up a dramatic 132 percent on the same period last year, the government reported on Thursday.

There were 13 road accidents nationwide from Jan. 1 to Jan. 3, 11 of which were serious ones that killed more than three people, according to statistics released by the State Administration of Work Safety.

Li Yizhong, head of the administration, said more attention should be paid to road safety during holiday periods, especially in the countryside, where people went out more as there was less farming to do in the winter.

He also reported that there was a coal mine accident during the holiday period that killed six people.

The total death toll for New Year accidents was 65, he said